The Commander Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army(TRADOC NA), Major General Kevin Aligbe on Thursday 28 September 2023 commissioned the newly remodelled Army Children School in Minna Military Cantonment.
TRADOC NA spokesperson, Lt Col Sani Uba said in a press statement that the project is one of the numerous projects the Commander embarked on an assumption of duty at Headquarters TRADOC NA geared towards providing a conducive learning environment in the Cantonment.
Speaking during the event, the Commander said the remodelling of the school is to provide a conducive learning environment for pupils and staff of the school geared towards the development of training as contained in one of the tripods of the command philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja which is hinged on troops welfare and motivation. He thanked the Chief of Army Staff for providing the resources to embark on the projects.
General Aligbe added that education remains key to national development even as he charged pupils and staff to make good use of facilities and materials provided to improve their knowledge.
According to Commander TRADOC. NA Nigerian Army "The importance of education cannot be over-emphasized as it helps to reduce poverty and illiteracy in society. Therefore, the children who will pass through this school deserve the best as we prepare them for leadership positions tomorrow. If we allow these children to graduate from a dilapidated environment such as it was, it could have affected the psyche of the children.
The Commander further observed that of the over 3800 students/pupils schooling in Minna Military Cantonment, 75 per cent come from the neighbouring communities.
He used the occasion to launch the TRADOC NA Educational Support Programme for the nursery, primary and secondary schools in the Cantonment by providing school materials for the entire 2023/24 session.
Donations of educational materials were to the NAOWA Children, Army Children School, Command Children School and Government Army Day Secondary School all in Minna Military Cantonment. Items donated included exercise books, pencils, rulers, and biros among others.
Gen Aligbe also introduced Spelling Bee and Scrabble competitions to encourage academic activities in the schools.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Headmaster of Army Children School Minna Military Cantonment, Mr Bawa Usman applauded the Commander for coming to the aid of the school. He said the efforts will rejuvenate teachers' efforts towards academic excellence.
It could be recalled that the Commander on assumption of duty embarked on numerous projects to give the Cantonment a facelift.
